92 explorer starter problems
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Davis, CA
92 explorer starter problems
Ok, so, I go to start my car, and "Click", the relay behind the batery engages, but nothing else. NO turn over.
I fiddle with the wires to the starter, and it starts fine. However, in the past few days, my car wont start at all, but the relay clicks.
Today, I took out the starter, and cleaned all the contacts. I reconnected the wires, but did not reinstall the starter so that I could test it. Using a jumper cable, I grounded the starter to the engine. I turn the ignition, and the starter turns. I replace the starter, and the starter no longer turns, just the click of the relay. I took the starter out again, and grounded it. It turns. I replaced it again, and it still does not turn.
I am completely dumbfounded on this one. If anyone can help, id really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Pat
I fiddle with the wires to the starter, and it starts fine. However, in the past few days, my car wont start at all, but the relay clicks.
Today, I took out the starter, and cleaned all the contacts. I reconnected the wires, but did not reinstall the starter so that I could test it. Using a jumper cable, I grounded the starter to the engine. I turn the ignition, and the starter turns. I replace the starter, and the starter no longer turns, just the click of the relay. I took the starter out again, and grounded it. It turns. I replaced it again, and it still does not turn.
I am completely dumbfounded on this one. If anyone can help, id really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Pat
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Hinesville, Georgia
Did you ground it to the engine or the battery? Sounds like you have a bad/loose ground to the engine or a bad starter solenoid. I do agree you need to have the starter checked. I replaced my starter on my 92 once and I almost had a stoke when they told me price of a re-built one. Check all the wire first before you blame the starter
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 886
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati
Well I'm glad you at least cleaned the connections on the starter. I believe 90% of all starters are replaced for no good reason. Have you tried jumpering the large contacts on the fender solenoid? This only switches the current to the solenoid on the starter which is about 15A and won't weld a screwdriver. These bolt connections should also be retightened in case of corrosion. I have been amazed at how little wear these geared starters have compared to older starters. I've opened them up to clean them but they have always been spotless even with years of use.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Davis, CA
Ok, just to be clear, here is what I have done.
1. Cleaned every electrical contact I could find, (not including the fender relay contacts, it seems to work). This includes, the batery cables, and every contact on the starter.
2. I thought that the starter solenoid must be faulty, so I replaced that.
3. I replaced the clip on the end of the wire that runs from the fender relay to the starter. (wiggling this seemed to make it work before)
4. When I grounded the starter, I grounded it to the place on the motor where the starter nomally goes.
5. I tried jumpering the two contacts on the fender relay, but the starter still did not work. I also heard nothing from the starter, so I know that it didnt even try to engage.
I will take it to get bench tested to be sure that the starter is fine.
Any other comments or advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Pat
1. Cleaned every electrical contact I could find, (not including the fender relay contacts, it seems to work). This includes, the batery cables, and every contact on the starter.
2. I thought that the starter solenoid must be faulty, so I replaced that.
3. I replaced the clip on the end of the wire that runs from the fender relay to the starter. (wiggling this seemed to make it work before)
4. When I grounded the starter, I grounded it to the place on the motor where the starter nomally goes.
5. I tried jumpering the two contacts on the fender relay, but the starter still did not work. I also heard nothing from the starter, so I know that it didnt even try to engage.
I will take it to get bench tested to be sure that the starter is fine.
Any other comments or advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Pat
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 886
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati
Just to add a little. The solenoid on the starter has two coils in order to provide enough pull in. One coil is from the spade connector to ground. The other is from the spade connector to the terminal that goes to the starter. Both coils provide extra pull in force till contact in the contact is made that powers the motor. If the solenoid ground connection wasn't good, there could possibly be enough current to spin the motor but not engage the gear out. Been a while since I pulled a solenoid but I think it is possible to install it 180 degrees, upside down and in that case it wouldnt work. Big thing to check is if the gear pops out.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Davis, CA
Thanks, Everyone for the input. The bench test proved the starter to be "bad." Upon replacing it with the new one, the car starts fine now.
Thanks,
Pat
Thanks,
Pat
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: St. Pete, Florida
I'm new to the board here, but I've got a similar problem going on with my '91 Explorer. The starter relay has been clicking when attempting to start the vehicle off and on for the past few months, but the truck would always start. Now it won't. It just clicks away. I switched one of my new boat batteries into the truck and I get more relay clicking. I removed the starter and had it bench tested. They said it was fine so I took it back home and reinstalled it and got nothing but relay clicking when I turn the key. So, I bridged the relay terminals and I got a really slow turn of the motor almost as if the motor or the starter is hung up. My question is...can a starter test OK on the bench and not have the cajones to turn the motor over?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 886
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati
Bench testing checks basic functionality but does not do a load test. Something simple you could do is attach a small 12V lamp at the power input terminal of the starter and ground. This would test for line losses to the starter from the positive and negative wires to the battery. This would show up as a major loss in brilliance. You could then move the wire to the motor side terminal. If it still lights when cranking this indicates the motor has internal problems.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Davis, CA
This car (92 explorer) had that happen once before (ie. starter is fine but wont work). We replaced the heavy cable that goes from the positive terminal to the starter. It turned out that the cable was so corroded that it built up too much resistance.
If there is just too much resistance in the cable, the starter could have the problems that you are describing.
One thing to try is taking both ends of the heavy cable and cleaning them off with a wire brush. As was mentioned earlier in this thread, many starter problems have nothing to do with the starter.
Good luck.
Pat
If there is just too much resistance in the cable, the starter could have the problems that you are describing.
One thing to try is taking both ends of the heavy cable and cleaning them off with a wire brush. As was mentioned earlier in this thread, many starter problems have nothing to do with the starter.
Good luck.
Pat
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: St. Pete, Florida
Originally posted by 97CasperCobra
How many miles were on the Explorer when it went out??
How many miles were on the Explorer when it went out??
I get about 10mpg when towing. Little off topic...sorry
Pat, I'm going to try replacing the cables and see what happens. Thanks.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Davis, CA
You can save yourself time, and just hook up a jumper cable between your positive terminal, and the contact on the starter. IF it still doesnt work, then its not your cable, but if it does work, youre in business.
Pat
Pat
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bigfix
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Jan 1, 2012 05:39 PM
MineralStang
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
0
Jun 10, 2006 05:57 PM
69mustang
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
4
Aug 2, 2004 03:42 PM
